CATALYTIC WOODSTOVES

Installing Your Catalytic Woodstove:

Improper installation of your woodstove can result in a house fire and
cause greater pollution. If a stove isn't installed properly, it can also
affect the draft of the stove (i.e., ability to draw combustion air and
expel exhaust). Proper draft is critical to reducing pollution and maintaining
high efficiency. Before having your stove installed, be sure to check with
local authorities regarding building codes and permits, and notify your
fire insurance company. The following tips discuss the importance of proper
installation.

What You Should DO:

DO have your woodstove professionally installed by a certified installer.

BECAUSE: A certified installer can determine the proper draft for your
stove, make sure all the seals are tight, and ensure that your stove is
installed with all safety measures in mind.

DO consult a certified installer about the need for a flue liner in your
masonry chimney.

BECAUSE: Lining the chimney can help maintain proper draft and prevent
icing, which can block your chimney.

DO use the manufacturer's recommended flue diameter.

BECAUSE: An improperly sized flue will not provide the draft needed to
operate the stove. Also, smoke may leak into your house through the air
inlets without proper draft.

DO make certain that all seals connecting the stove to the flue, and
within the flue, are as tight as possible.

BECAUSE: Tight seals will prevent smoke from leaking into your house
and contribute to good draft.

Operating Your Catalytic Woodstove:

Follow the procedures below to operate your stove for maximum efficiency
and minimum pollution. The catalyst plays an important part in how well
your stove does its job. The catalyst in your stove, similar to the catalytic
converter in your car, burns the unburned fuel (smoke) from the fire before
it exits through the flue. A catalyst will start burning the smoke coming
from the fire when it has reached a temperature of between 350 and 600F.
At this point, the catalyst is said to "light-off". In some models,
the catalyst will begin to glow when the temperature rises above 1000F.

What You Should DO:

DO burn only dry, well-seasoned wood, not wet or freshly cut wood. Season
wood at least six months; store outdoors, loosely covered, to allow air
to circulate freely through the pile.

BECAUSE: "Green" or wet wood releases less heat because energy
from the fire must first evaporate the moisture before producing useful
heat.

DO build and maintain moderately hot fires quickly after loading the
wood.

BECAUSE: A hot initial fire will help your catalyst light-off faster.
However, once lit, the catalyst will stay lit even if the fire burns lower.
Catalyst temperatures of 1000F or more are typical in normal operation.
Once a catalyst lights-off, it will stay lit at temperatures of about 500F.

DO burn moderate to full loads of wood that will provide several hours
of uninterrupted burning and minimize door openings.

DO operate your stove in the bypass mode initially (i.e., smoke bypasses
the catalyst). Wait until the stove is hot enough before engaging the catalyst,
but be careful not to overheat the stove.

BECAUSE: To some extent, the catalyst may reduce the draft. With poor
draft, the fire will take longer to develop and the catalyst will take longer
to light-off.

DO operate the stove's internal fans (if your stove has them) in strict
accordance with the operating instructions. Some manufacturers recommend
leaving the fans turned off for 30 minutes after start-up and refueling,
and setting them on low for small fires.

BECAUSE: Fans remove heat from the fire; cooler fires result in more
pollution.

BECAUSE: If your engage the catalyst before light-off, it will reduce
the draft in your stove without reducing the pollution. If you engage the
catalyst too late after light-off, you won't be benefiting from its operation.

What You Should NOT DO:

DO NOT burn trash, treated wood, particle board, plywood, or other fuels
(such as coal, kerosene, or lighter fluid) unless they are listed on your
stove's permanent label.

DO NOT operate your stove in the catalyst bypass mode after the catalyst
has reached the recommended temperature (350 to 600F).

BECAUSE: At this point, your catalyst should be working for you (to produce
more heat using less firewood) and for the environment (destroying smoke
and the cancer-causing pollution in the smoke).

DO NOT overfire your stove, especially when the catalyst is engaged.
Avoid catalyst temperatures near of above 1600F. This is another reason
to use a catalyst temperature monitor.

BECAUSE: Catalysts can be damaged or destroyed by prolonged high heat.
If temperatures are above 1600F, switch to bypass mode and allow the catalyst
to cool down to about 100F before resuming normal catalytic operation.

DO NOT open the ash pan while catalyst is engaged.

BECAUSE: This will lead to overheating.

Maintaining Your Catalytic Woodstove:

What You Should DO:

DO check the catalyst when the stove is cool by shining a bright flashlight
(where possible) onto the catalyst's surface from above and viewing from
inside the stove; look for gaps between the catalyst and the gasket. Replace
gasket if necessary.

BECAUSE: The amount of light you can see coming through the gaps in the
catalyst's surface is a good indication of how clean the catalyst is. Creosote
buildup will block much of the light. Gaps between the catalyst and gasket
can allow smoke to bypass the catalyst.

DO check the catalyst for crumbling, peeling, or other signs of physical
damage and for buildup of ash or creosote that can plug up the catalyst.
Buildup can be burned off by building a hot fire and partially engaging
the catalyst (i.e., open catalyst bypass halfway, if possible). When catalyst
is cool, brush with a soft brush or vacuum the catalyst face carefully.
Replace catalyst if necessary.

BECAUSE: Buildup can occur on the catalyst and interfere with its proper
operation. This will diminish the catalyst's efficiency and increase pollution.

DO replace the catalyst if it's damaged, if large parts are missing,
or it's obvious that the catalyst had deteriorated (i.e., fails to light-off
when it should). Follow your owner's manual for replacement instructions.
Be sure there are no leaks around the catalyst gaskets.

BECAUSE: When a catalyst fails to operate because of either physical
or chemical deterioration, you will lose the benefits of reduced pollution
and improved efficiency. It's a violation of federal law to operate your
stove if the catalyst is deactivated or removed.

DO check for catalyst deterioration by either of these two methods: 1)
observe the chimney, both before and after the catalyst has engaged, to
determine if the catalyst has reduced the amount of smoke, or 2) inspect
the inside of the chimney for creosote buildup.

BECAUSE: Although there will still be some pollution and creosote buildup
from operating catalytic stoves properly, the rates of pollution and buildup
should be much lower than in conventional stoves. If the sky provides a
solid light background, you should be able to see a difference between the
pollution from a stove before and after the catalyst is engaged.

DO remove the catalyst at least every two years and soak it in diluted
(50/50) vinegar for 30 minutes, followed by two 15-minute rinses in boiling
water (unless specified otherwise by the manufacturer). Replace the gasket
after this cleaning operation. Check with you catalyst manufacturer for
more details.

BECAUSE: Vinegar will dissolve the residual impurities that aren't removed
by dusting and other routine maintenance.

DO use your catalyst warranty if your catalyst fails within the first
two years or crumbles within three years of purchase.

BECAUSE: You've paid for the right to a properly working catalyst in
your purchase price.

DO check all gasket material, the bypass damper, and on cast iron stoves,
the seams, once a year; replace frayed or worn material. Re-cement the seams
as necessary. Check the catalyst gaskets and the gasket that seals the bypass
mechanism (if your stove has one). Hint: One way to test the tightness of
a gasket seal is to close the door on a dollar bill. Pull gently on the
dollar bill. If it pulls easily out of place, the seal isn't tight and the
gasket should be replaced. Repeat this test in several locations to check
the seal all around the door.

BECAUSE: Gaskets in good condition will provide an airtight seal. A poor
seal around a catalyst bypass allows smoke to pass through unburned, thereby
increasing pollution. Like gaskets, the bypass damper and seams are areas
where leaks can develop.

DO check the wood-loading door and the ash drawer for tightness.

BECAUSE: These two areas are subject to warp or worn gaskets. Poor fit
may result in over-heating or may allow smoke to escape into the room.

DO make sure the thermostat (if your stove is equipped with one) is working
properly; replace as necessary. Refer to parts list in your owner's manual.

BECAUSE: A broken thermostat can prevent air inlets and dampers from
opening and closing properly.

DO check the flue twice a month and have it cleaned at least once a year.
After cleaning, check the seals and retighten joints in the flue and to
the stove.

BECAUSE: Buildup of creosote on the flue walls can re-ignite and cause
fires. Tight seals and joints prevent leaks.

DO replace firebrick and other insulating materials when you see crumbling
or if pieces are missing.

DO NOT remove or tamper with the preset operating or temperature controls.

BECAUSE: It's against the law, it will void your stove's warranty, and
it will create a safety hazard. The stove will be less efficient and more
expensive to operate. Thermostats control either primary or secondary air,
or both. Tampering may ruin the precisely designed secondary combustion
capabilities, resulting in lower efficiencies, higher operating costs, and
greater pollution.

DO NOT abuse your catalyst. Don't drop or scrape the catalyst, remove
the metal band (if your model has one), or use high-pressure air to clean.
Don't clean the catalyst with water when it is hot and in the stove.

BECAUSE: Catalysts can be damaged, thereby reducing their effectiveness.